2K Manufacturing, the Luton-based innovative recycling company, today hosted a visit by Independent Parliamentary candidate for Luton South, Esther Rantzen. She was shown around the newly built facility by 2K Manufacturing’s chief executive Omer Kutluoglu (pictured above with Esther Rantzen) who highlighted both the technological advances being made to recycle the UK’s waste plastic and the positive impact the company’s work has on the environment.

2K Manufacturing is the company behind the multi award-winning EcoSheet, the world’s first environmentally-friendly plywood substitute board made from recycled waste plastics – from construction site waste, supermarket signage and packaging, to yoghurt pots or even biros. Five million tonnes of waste plastic are produced each year in the UK, 80% of which are landfilled. In addition, over 25 million sheets of plywood sheets are used a year which are not recyclable and have to be landfilled as waste, at great expense to the industry. 2K Manufacturing’s groundbreaking ‘Powder Impression Moulding’ technology provides a solution to this issue.

Commenting at the plant, Esther Rantzen said: "Climate change is obviously a real concern and I am delighted that a Luton company is tackling the situation head-on and leading the way."

"The UK has mountains of mixed plastic waste, the majority of which goes into landfill each year and cannot currently be recycled," added Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K. "Through a unique process, we can recycle that plastic waste into a brand new product that can be used again and again for a variety of different purposes; from caravans and supermarket signs to cubicles in hospitals. The opportunities are endless, which can only be a good thing for the environment."

The company’s first production facility in Luton – the first of its kind in the world – opened in July 2009, and allows for the production of thousands of EcoSheets each day which are all, in turn, completely recyclable at the plant. Once at full production in spring 2010 it will use 30,000 tonnes of waste plastic which would otherwise go to landfill.